Venezuelan bambuco
Encyclopedia
This musical genre is typical from the Andean region (Andes
), it is also found in the States of Zulia
, Bolívar
, Lara
and in the Capital District (Caracas
); in the latter found in the form of romantic
melodies.
The sound quality of the word Bambuco calls forth in the mind of listeners a certain
proximity to African melodies. However, the reality is that the Bambuco is rhythmical
and tuneful, originating in Spain
and the Americas
, specifically in Colombia
.
Its deep roots in the Colombian territory causes the Bambuco to cross the border and
become attached to the western states of Venezuela, specifically in the Andes and Zulia,
where it undergoes certain modifications in beat and structure. It is worth noting that in each region it acquires the very accent of the geography and traditions.
In the opinion of some musicologists, the Bambuco represents certain analogies with the
so called “ habaneras”, specially in the lethargic shades of the lyrics. However, while the
Cuban version has a 3x4 beat, the Venezuelan rhythm is 6x8 (sixteenth-eighth-sixteenth).
Specialists remember that introductions and interludes of the Bambuco, instrumentally
simulated the “bolero” trios that filled the scene in the 20th century. Its musical structure
breaks all rules, not being limited to four cyclical tones.
As to the accompaniment, in the Venezuelan Bambuco, piano
, bass and guitar
are
present, having a special characteristic in the Andean region, where mandolin and flute
are incorporated. Inspirational themes are idyllic, nostalgic and reminiscent, with
certain lordly shades and even sublime.
“Mañanitas Navidenas” by Marco Antonio Useche and “Brisas del Torbes” by Luis Felipe Ramón y Rivera
are characterisric pieces of the Bambuco we know, which join
the success of “Tu Partida” by Augusto Brandt, “Serenata” by Manuel Enrique Perez
Diaz and “Hendrina” by Napoleón Lucena. It is fair to remember the works “Isla
De Toas” and “Ahora” which were compiled and incorporated to the Bambuco beat
by Valentin Caruci.
The particular lyrics of the Bambuco motivated the performances of, Mayra Marti,
Carlos Almenar Otero, Armando Molero
and Mario Suárez
, who perpetuated some of the great compositions created for this genre.
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
), it is also found in the States of Zulia
Zulia
Zulia State is one of the 23 states of Venezuela. The state capital is Maracaibo. In June 30, 2010, it had an estimated population of 3,821,068, giving it the largest population among Venezuela's states. It is located in the northwestern part of the country...
, Bolívar
Bolívar (state)
Bolívar State , is one of the 23 states into which Venezuela is divided. The state capital city is Ciudad Bolívar. Bolívar State covers a total surface area of 238,000 km² and in June 30, 2010 had an estimated population of 1,620,359....
, Lara
Lara (state)
Lara State is one of the 23 states into which Venezuela is divided. The state capital is Barquisimeto.Lara State covers a total surface area of and, in 2007, had an estimated population of 1,795,100.- Municipalities and municipal seats :...
and in the Capital District (Caracas
Caracas
Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range...
); in the latter found in the form of romantic
melodies.
The sound quality of the word Bambuco calls forth in the mind of listeners a certain
proximity to African melodies. However, the reality is that the Bambuco is rhythmical
and tuneful, originating in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and the Americas
Americas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
, specifically in Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
.
Its deep roots in the Colombian territory causes the Bambuco to cross the border and
become attached to the western states of Venezuela, specifically in the Andes and Zulia,
where it undergoes certain modifications in beat and structure. It is worth noting that in each region it acquires the very accent of the geography and traditions.
In the opinion of some musicologists, the Bambuco represents certain analogies with the
so called “ habaneras”, specially in the lethargic shades of the lyrics. However, while the
Cuban version has a 3x4 beat, the Venezuelan rhythm is 6x8 (sixteenth-eighth-sixteenth).
Specialists remember that introductions and interludes of the Bambuco, instrumentally
simulated the “bolero” trios that filled the scene in the 20th century. Its musical structure
breaks all rules, not being limited to four cyclical tones.
As to the accompaniment, in the Venezuelan Bambuco, piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, bass and guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
are
present, having a special characteristic in the Andean region, where mandolin and flute
are incorporated. Inspirational themes are idyllic, nostalgic and reminiscent, with
certain lordly shades and even sublime.
“Mañanitas Navidenas” by Marco Antonio Useche and “Brisas del Torbes” by Luis Felipe Ramón y Rivera
Luis Felipe Ramón y Rivera
Luis Felipe Ramón y Rivera, composer, teacher, musician, folklorist and writer, was born in San Cristóbal, Táchira, August 23, 1913. He lived his first years in the Venezuelan city of San Cristóbal. Between 1919 and 1921 he lived, with his parents and siblings, successively in Cúcuta, San Luis and...
are characterisric pieces of the Bambuco we know, which join
the success of “Tu Partida” by Augusto Brandt, “Serenata” by Manuel Enrique Perez
Diaz and “Hendrina” by Napoleón Lucena. It is fair to remember the works “Isla
De Toas” and “Ahora” which were compiled and incorporated to the Bambuco beat
by Valentin Caruci.
The particular lyrics of the Bambuco motivated the performances of, Mayra Marti,
Carlos Almenar Otero, Armando Molero
Armando Molero
Armando Molero was a Venezuelan singer known as El Cantor de todos los tiempos...
and Mario Suárez
Mario Suárez (singer)
Mario Suárez is a Venezuelan folk singer.From very young, at the age of nine, was presented to Carlos Gardel by his father, who was his driver during his visit to Venezuela, this meeting influence Mario Suárez in what will be his career as singer.In 1936, Mario Suárez moved to Caracas, beginning...
, who perpetuated some of the great compositions created for this genre.
Source
- Atlas de Tradiciones de Venezuela, Fundación BigottFundación BigottFundación Bigott is a private institution in Venezuela; it is dedicated to "preserving and making known making known the values of traditional culture".- History :...
, 1998, and SACVEN.